Hanover, N.H. —
Raised in Crestwood, N.Y., Bettye attended Abbot Academy (class of 1943) and graduated from Wellesley College, ( class of 1947). She married Gordon P. McCouch in 1950, and the couple lived in Mountain Lakes, N.J. where their daughters Nancy, Susan and Bonnie were born. They moved to Concord, Mass. where their son, Grayson was born and where they were active in town affairs. In 1990, Gordon and Bettye were selected as Honored Citizens of Concord in recognition of their contributions to the town. Bettye started the first library at Alcott Elementary School, led Girl Scout troops, taught Sunday School at Trinity Episcopal Church, served as Treasurer of the Concord Players, and drove for the Red Cross. She also worked as a research assistant at Wellesley College for several years.
In 1995, Bettye and Gordon moved to Kendal at Hanover, spending summers at their farm in Wallingford, Vermont until Gordon’s death in 2008. Bettye was involved in running the “Attic” for several years and she enjoyed singing in the choral group and welcoming new residents to Kendal.
A celebration of her life will take place in the Gathering Room at Kendal in Hanover on April 28, 2018 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Webster Fund: Kendal at Hanover, 80 Lyme Rd, Hanover NH 03755.